Advocaat says yes to Socceroos' Cup quest

By Michael Cockerill

September 21, 2007 — 10.00am

DUTCHMAN Dick Advocaat has signed on the dotted line to coach the Socceroos through the 2010 World Cup campaign.

It's believed Advocaat, 59, agreed terms in a meeting with Football Federation Australia's technical director, fellow Dutchman Rob Baan, in Europe two weeks ago. The FFA has stalled on making an announcement, possibly until Advocaat completes his contract with Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg, in mid-November.

It's understood Advocaat would continue to live in Europe while coaching the national team through its 12-game qualifying campaign, but has agreed to spend up to eight weeks in Australia each year. Advocaat's first game in charge will be Australia's opening qualifier, a home match in early February.

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Meanwhile, Sydney FC have missed out on the signature of fringe Socceroos winger Ahmad Elrich, who will be unveiled by Wellington Phoenix today as their inaugural marquee player. Elrich, 26, has agreed terms with Wellington until the end of the season.

Sydney had launched a late bid to snatch Elrich from under the noses of Wellington, but while the player was tempted, the terms of offer by Phoenix were far superior. Elrich was released by Fulham three weeks ago and hasn't played since the end of the last European season, but despite his lack of match fitness could make his Wellington debut on Sunday week in the home match against Perth Glory.

The failure to sign Elrich leaves Sydney still searching for a replacement for American midfielder Mike Enfield, who tore his knee ligaments at training this week and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

It hasn't been a good week for Sydney, who are at the bottom of the league for the first time in their history. With marquee star Juninho likely to be out for another week, coach Branko Culina received more bad news yesterday with confirmation that both skipper Tony Popovic and fullback Robbie Middleby have joined the sick list for tomorrow's clash against Queensland Roar in Brisbane.

Goalkeeper Clint Bolton is also in doubt with a shoulder injury, with Matthew Nash on stand-by. Utility Mark Milligan seems likely to move back to central defence, while Terry McFlynn is poised for a recall in the holding midfield role.

"People talk about making excuses, but just when you think you've turned the corner, this sort of thing happens," Culina said. "The injuries have definitely thrown us into a bit of chaos, and it's going to be a real test of character. But I'm still confident we can get a result."

Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond is also confident of a result against defending champions Melbourne Victory tonight, but the former Socceroos defender admits results aren't the only way he judges his team.

While Newcastle are unbeaten in second place, the entertainment factor has been largely missing so far, a point van Egmond readily concedes.

"There's a real onus on all the coaches in the A-League to entertain, I truly believe that," he said.

"We could all be completely and utterly boring to try and make sure we keep our jobs, but we have a duty to entertain the crowds, to try and play football the way it should be played.

"Have we fallen short? Very much so. We've talked about it as a group, and we're not happy with the way we've been playing … It's a matter of getting the likes of Denni and Mario [Jardel] used to the way we play the game."